Buhari On His Final Way Home, Says To Nigerians, Forgive Me
• As the aircraft conveying his mortal remains from UK arrives Nigeria
By PHC Telegraph
Update: Buhari’s Journey Home:
The aircraft conveying the remains of the former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari back home has landed at the Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua International Airport.
The aircraft carrying the former President accompanied by Vice President Kashim Katsina entered Nigeria’s airspace moments ago.
President Bola Tinubu arrived at the Yar’ Adua International Airport not long ago, signalling the wait for Buhari’s remains was gradually coming to an end.
While at the airport, Tinubu has moved to receive the body of his predecessor, as the Nigerian military prepares to accord the fallen leader a military reception before departing for Daura.
The President’s wife of so many years, Senator Oluremi Tinubu had arrived earlier to join the long list of dignitaries including state governors that are waiting for Buhari’s return.
They were waiting at the Holding Room not just for the President but also for the remains of his predecessor.
A military chopper is equally waiting patiently on the tarmac of the Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua Airport for the aircraft that brought Buhari home. It would fly the late president on the last lap of his journey through this lifetime, if the plan does not change.
Out there, in Daura, where the high and mighty, the poor and influencial as well as friends and associates of the departed have gathered, all is set the interment of the former president.
Literally, Shettima had dwelt for several flying hours in the sky since the directive by President Bola Tinubu asking him to head for London at once to bring back Buhari was issued on Sunday.
Moments ago, the Vice President’s visit, over 14 hours in the air, came to an end.
Forgive Me, Buhari Begs Ordinary Nigerians:
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s ascension to power may have raised so many expectations among Nigerians who filed out in 2015 to ensure that the ruling PDP was voted out.
For those expectations that he could not meet while in office, the failed hopes that he left behind which now stick out like sour thumbs, Buhari who served Nigeria first as a Head of State under the military and later as a two-term civilian president has publicly apologised.
Forgive me, the President is said to have asked of the Nigerian people before the icy hands of death snatched him last Sunday.
The former president whose mortal remains would be committed to mother earth today in Daura rendered the apology through his wife Aisha Buhari.
Aisha urged Nigerians to forgive her husband, saying he had asked her while he was still alive to beg the Nigerian people, especially those who nurse a feeling of disappointment over the way he conducted himself in office, to forgive him
“Since he left office in 2023, he frequently spoke to me about his imperfections,” Aisha said. “He would always say, ‘If I die before you, please tell Nigerians that I ask for their forgiveness — for any pain or disappointment I may have caused during my time as president.’”
Aisha went on, “I am here today, fulfilling that final request. Before he is laid to rest, I appeal to all Nigerians on his behalf: forgive him for any hardship or hurt his leadership may have caused.”
The Testament:
The plea, coming against the backdrop of ongoing arrangements to lay him to rest, shows the other side of the disciplinarian and democrat who rose to be Nigeria’s President.
Despite his military background, the man who turned into a later day democrat had time to allow due democratic processes.
And when his service was over, he had time to reflect over his perod in office and had the heart to say sorry for those things that he didn’t do right.
More than that, his request for forgiveness at the last moment, suggests that Buhari had very strong feelings for those he led and hoped in retirement that he could have done better than he did before quitting office.
It was however a sound testimonial of the humble and quiet life that he led, his concern about history and how it will remember him.
Reporters on ground in Daura say his home in Daura cannot by any stretch of the imagination be seen as magnificent.
Unto the end, Buhari led an ordinary life, shunning the glamour and kleiglights of power and affluence, living with and empathizing with the poor, and thinking Nigeria until he breathed his last.
His lifestyle as a leader who abhorred corruption and indescribable riches may have put him on a collision course with so many Nigerians.
In death he made up, asking those he loved and those who didn’t love him to forgive his inadequacies while he served as their leader.
It is more a tastement of his humility ; his triumph over death; and his ability to forgive others even as he humbly asked for forgiveness.
In the meantime, the Nigerian authorities have declared Tuesday a public holiday as the nation mourns a man of integrity and courage who despite several opportunities remained straightforward and corruption free.